Portal Masters Can Experience Brand-New Innovation - Swapability - Along with the Return of Exclusive Legendary Line, a Special Event and More
Canadian Toys"R"Us Stores to Open Early on Sunday, October 13 to Welcome Eager Fans*
TORONTO, Oct. 7, 2013 /CNW/ - Toys"R"Us, Canada and Toysrus.ca are poised to become the retail destinations for consumers eager to explore the Swappable. Unstoppable.TM world of Skylanders SWAP Force™, the highly anticipated follow-up to Activision's acclaimed Skylanders Giants™ and Skylanders Spyro's Adventure® gaming experiences. Set to debut on Sunday, October 13, this new video game combines the franchise's signature gameplay and collectible "toys to life" experience with an all-new, innovative play pattern - swappability - allowing Portal Masters to swap the top and bottom halves of Skylanders® figures to create their own unique characters. The game will be available on the Nintendo Wii™, Wii U™, 3DS™, the Xbox 360™ game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, as well as the upcoming Xbox One™ and PlayStation®4 when they debut next month.
Once again, Toys"R"Us will be the only place fans will find the limited edition Legendary Series of toys, including alternative versions of new SWAP Force characters, such as Grim Creeper, Free Ranger, Night Shift and Zoo Loo, all of which feature enhanced in-game powers.
Grim Creeper and Free Ranger are available for preorder now at Toysrus.ca/Skylanders.
"Skylanders SWAP Force is one of the biggest video game releases of the year for Toys"R"Us kids, and we anticipate it will be one of the most popular gifts for the holiday season," says Liz MacDonald, vice-president of marketing and store planning, Toys"R"Us Canada. "Through the innovation and whole new twist of customization, young Canadian Portal Masters will be delighted to continue the Skylands storyline."
Skylanders SWAP Force introduces 16 completely new core characters and 16 completely new swappable SWAP Force characters which players can turn into more than 250 unique in-game characters by swapping the top and bottom halves of the toys.** Fans can also play Skylanders SWAP Force with their entire collection of figures from both Skylanders Spyro's Adventure and Skylanders Giants, ensuring all stats and customizations remain intact. To help fans build their collections, Toys"R"Us will have the largest selection of Skylanders Spyro's Adventure, Skylanders Giants and Skylanders SWAP Force characters available - just in time for the holiday season.
"I can't wait to play Skylanders SWAP Force with my friends," says Alex Thorne, 11-year-old chief play officer, Toys"R"Us, Canada. "It's awesome because there are dual elemental gates which you can open with the right combination of swappable characters. Skylanders SWAP Force really makes game-play epic!"
"From the very beginning, Toys"R"Us has always believed in the magic of the Skylanders franchise. And they've helped us make it one of the hottest brands in all of entertainment" said Eric Hirshberg, CEO of Activision Publishing. "And just as we have taken the franchise to a new level of innovation with Skylanders SWAP Force, Toys"R"Us has also taken their support and commitment to the brand to a whole new level as well. We look forward to working with this key partner to bring the excitement of swapability to fans around the world."
More than 50 Young Portal Masters in Toronto, to Witness Skylands Come to Life High in the Sky
On Thursday, October 10, Activision is partnering with Toys"R"Us to bring Skylands to life, 1,136 feet high above the ground - at the CN Tower. This exclusive invite-only event will give more than 50 lucky young portal masters the chance to experience an event like no other and play the game before it's available in stores. With activities like Pop Fizz's Potions Lab, the Chompie Bomb Toss, a photo station, and giveaways, this larger than life experience at the top of the CN Tower will fully immerse kids into the Skylands world and prove to be an unforgettable experience.
Toys"R"Us, Canada Stores to Open Early for Game's Debut, Unveil Exclusive Toys
As the game debuts on Sunday, October 13, the majority of Toys"R"Us stores in Canada will open early, making Toys"R"Us the must-stop destination for Portal Masters ready to experience the game and exclusive figures. To view the full list of opening times and participating stores, customers can visit Facebook.com/ToysRUsCanada or Toysrus.ca/Skylanders.
Additionally, the following two Skylanders SWAP Force items will be available only at Toys"R"Us, Canada stores and online at Toysrus.ca/Skylanders at launch, beginning Sunday, October 13:
Legendary Grim Creeper (Lightcore) from Activision Publishing, Inc.
Legendary Grim Creeper is an alternative version of the new SWAP Force character with unique, enhanced in-game powers. Grim Creeper is considered to be one of the best reapers ever to swing a scythe in his quest to defend Skylands.
Legendary Free Ranger from Activision Publishing, Inc.
Along with the same abilities as the new, original Free Ranger, this exclusive Legendary version features more lightning fast power. Fans will be taken on a high velocity adventure with Free Ranger as he battles with earth, wind and fire to protect the Skylands and reach his destiny as the greatest storm chaser in the land.
About Toys"R"Us, Canada:
Toys"R"Us (Canada) Ltd. is part of Toys"R"Us, Inc., the world's leading dedicated toy and juvenile products retailer. Toys"R"Us, Canada operates 80 stores across the country. For store locations and convenient online shopping visit www.toysrus.ca.
© 2013 Activision Publishing, Inc. SKYLANDERS, SKYLANDERS SWAP FORCE, SWAP FORCE, SKYLANDERS SPYRO'S ADVENTURE, SKYLANDERS GIANTS, LIGHTCORE, SWAPPABLE.UNSTOPPABLE, and ACTIVISION are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc.
*Toys"R"Us, Canada stores nationwide will open one hour earlier than their regular Sunday opening times on October 13th, except for the stores located in Sainte-Foy, Sherbrooke, Lansdowne Mall, Trois-Rivières, Burnaby, Victoria, Saint John and all Express locations. All participating stores and respective opening times can be found online at Toysrus.ca or Facebook.com/ToysRUsCanada.
**Requires purchase of all 16 SWAP Force Skylanders.
SOURCE: Toys "R" Us (Canada) Ltd.
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Laura Arlabosse-Stewart / Andrea Hanft
Paradigm Public Relations
[email protected] / [email protected]
416-413-5185 / 416-413-5196
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